Dashboard display apparatus comprising a rotary disk operated by a vacuum motor



Dec. 13, 1949 R. H. HEIM- v DASHBOARD DISPLAY APPARATUS COMPRISING A ROTARY DISK OPERATED BY A VACUUM MOTOR Filed Feb. 16, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Filed Feb. 16, 1948 Dec. 13, 1949 R. H. HEIM 2,490,869

DASHBOARD DISPLAY APPARATUS COMPRISING A ROTARY DISK OPERATED BY A VACUUM MOTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 O INVENTOR. F flfiM- jay/fag?ZwJ Av Patented Dec. 13, 1949 DASHBOARD DISPLAY APPARATUS COM- PRISING A ROTARY DISK OPERATED BY A VACUUM MOTOR Richard H. Heim, Cleveland, Ohio Application February 16, 1948, Serial No. 8,682

2 Claims.

My present invention pertains to the art of color display apparatus, and comprises an improved apparatus of such type adapted for ready detachable installation upon the dashboard of an automobile, in rear of an open grill section of the dashboard, for enabling the projection through such section of variable colored light efiects of difierent intensity for the benefit or entertainment of the passengers in the vehicle.

An object of my invention has been to produce an apparatus of the class mentioned capable of being operated from the motor of the vehicle, preferably by an auxiliary motor of the fluid or vacuum type controlled from the exhaust manifold of the automobile engine.

Another object of my invention has been to produce a display apparatus with coacting adjuncts facilitating quick attachment and detachment relatively to the vehicle dashboard.

A further object had in mind by me is the provision of the above type of display apparatus, of simplified structure, relatively cheap to make, and readily assembled for placing into operation by connecting same up to the vehicle engine, without altering the construction of the automotive vehicle to which it is applied when put to use.

A full understanding of my invention and the method of use of the same under practical conditions of service will be had upon reference to the following detail description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View taken through the dashboard of an automobile and illustrating the arrangement and construction of my device as viewed in side elevation when placed in position upon the dashboard for use.

Figure 2 is a view looking down upon my apparatus and bringing out the spring attachment means for holding it in position upon the dashboard, the latter being shown in horizontal section.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the stationary shutter plate forming a part of my apparatus.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, enlarged somewhat as compared with Figure 1 to bring out the details of construction including the train of gearing by which the auxiliary motor is connected with the vari-colored rotative disc through which the light is projected with colored effects upon the front screen of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation showing the rear closure plate of the housing and the manner of attaching thereto the clockworks type of gearing unit which is driven by the auxiliary motor,

the shaft of which operates the rotary colored discs.

Figure 6 is a View in front elevation of the varicolored disc alone.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, I designates in section the conventional form of dashboard of an ordinary automobile on which my apparatus is mounted.

My display apparatus comprises largely a unit construction embodying a casing 2 which is of somewhat tapering formation toward its rear end at which it is closed by a closing plate 3 formed with flange portions 4 which may be attached by suitable fastenings 5 to the casing 2, the flange portion 4 extending into the casing. On the rear closing plate 3 of the casing 2 I mount the frame 6 of a gear train generally designated at l, the frame 6 being attached to the plate 3 by fastenings 8, and supporting the gear train in such a manner that one of the gears of such train engages with a driving pinion 9 on the driving shaft of an auxiliary motor Ill, the front extending portion of the casing of which passes through an opening or slot in the plate 3 and enters the rear end portion of the casing 2. The motor I0 is supported on the plate 3 by being carried by a suitable fastening plate I l which in turn is attached to the plate 3 by any suitable fastening means, not particularly shown.

The motor casing I0 is that usually provided for a conventional type of vacuum operated motor known in the art, for example, as the Trico motor, a type commonly used for the operation of windshield wipers of automobiles. By means of a suitable pipe l2 leading off from a union or coupling l3 at the top of the casing H), the motor which is generally designated at I4 is operably connected with the exhaust manifold of the engine of the automobile on which my apparatus is mounted. Any suitable controlling member such as commonly used today for starting or stopping the operation of the motor l4 may be employed, same not being illustrated.

At the top of the casing 2, or at any suitable point intermediate the end thereof and within the same, is located the light bulb or light I5.

The light IE will be connected in any suitable manner with the battery which is always provided for the automobile for starting and ignition purposes, and the amount of current supplied to the light l5 may be controlled by rheostat unit l5 supplied to the dashboard and connected to the light [5 after a manner well known to those skilled in the art. By varying the position of the manipulating handle for the rheostat unit, said handle designated H, the amount of current supplied to the light l5 may be varied and the intensity of light rays projected from said light may thus be correspondingly controlled.

A shaft 18 aflixed to one of the gears of the gear train or unit I for operation thereby is disposed approximately centrally of the casing 2 in respect to the longitudinal axis of said casing. At its outer end, or forward end, the shaft l8 has secured thereto a multi-colored disc l9 shown best in Figure 6 as being supplied with four dif ferent colored areas. The disc I9 is translucent and the rays of light from the light I5 may be projected therethrough in a direction forwardlyof the casing. In front or at the outer side of the disc 49 and spaced therefrom, there is provided in the casing 2 a stationary shutter plate 2a at the upper portion of which is provided a sector shaped opening 2|. The plate 20 is formed with outwardly projecting flanges at its edges, is pp xima ely square in form, and s id flange designated 22, are attached by screws to the walls of the casing 2 in a self-evident manner, the screws being designated 23. The shutter plate 2%! performs a dual function in that it, not only controls the light rays that issue from the light l5 in passing through the partition or plate 20 at the opening 2|, but it forms. a hearing at 24 for the front end of the driving shaft 18 for the multi-colored disc 19.

At the front open end of the casing 2 there is, disposed in what may be frictional contact with the front edge portions of said casing, a light screen 25 and the light rays from the light as projected through the translucent multi-colored disc [9, during the rotation thereof, and passing through the light opening 2| of the shutter plate 20, will be received upon the screen 25 and will form a beautiful and multi-colored effect as so received.

Since the apparatus of my invention and the screen 25 will be disposed just in rear of the dashboard of the vehicle and at a suitable portion of said dashboard having an open grille or other section through which light may pass, passengers. in the vehicle may be entertained, by the opera.- tion of the apparatus incident to the driving of the multi-colored disc I9 rotating in rear of the shutter plate and the opening 2|, assuming that the light 15 is turned on.

If it is desired to soften the color effects of the rays which are projected through the multicolored disc and onto the screen he rhcosta control unit it. may b operated to reduce the current supplied to, the light {5, and of course if. the rays are desired to be intensified, the. control may be accomplished by adjusting the rheostat in an opposite direction. The rheostat control unit It may be employed for turning OK the light l5 when desired.

For holding the apparatus detachably in position on the rear side of the dashboard I, I employ a coiled spring clamping means, shown at 26, see Figure 2. One end of this clamping means is hooked into connection with an attachment plate 21 on the dashboard l at one side of the apparatus, and the opposite end similarly connected to a plate 27 at the opposite side. By expanding the sprlngconnector 26 to pass rearwardly around the casing 2 the casing and its adjuncts will be firmly and non-rattlingly held in position on the dashboard. Removal of the apparatus may be quickly eifected. The screen 25 will be clamped in position between the parts l and 2 when the casing isheld against the part I by the spring 26.

The entire apparatus of my invention may be attached to other supporting means equivalent in nature to the dashboard I when intended to be used in other places than on an automobile.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Display apparatus comprising a casing open at its front end, a motor at the rear portion of the casing, a shutter plate in the casing near its front portion and having a light opening therethrough, a translucent multi-colored disc in rear of the shutter plate and its opening, means operated by the motor to rotate the disc, an image receiving screen in front of the shutter plate, and a light in rear of the disc, combined with a support, and holding means engaging the casing and clamping the same and other recited parts to the support so that the screen is also clamped to the support between it and the front end of the casing.

2. Display apparatus comprising a casing open at its front end, a motor at the rear portion of the casing, a shutter plate in the casing near its front portion and having a light opening therethrough, a translucent multi-colored disc in rear of the shutter plate and its opening, means operated by the motor to rotate the disc, an image receiving screen in front of the shutter plate, and a light in rear of the disc, combined with a support, and holding means engaging the casing and clamping the same. and other recited parts to the support so that the screen is also clamped tov the support between it and the front end of the casing, said holding means comprising an expansible. spring attached at its en s o th support and partly encircling the casing.

RICHARD H. HEIM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1Al8, l5.7 Michelson May 30, 1922 2,210,315 De Verry Aug. 6, 19.40, 

